1D Simulation of Water Boiling in an Electrically Heated Pipe

Industrial heating processes account for nearly 28% of global CO2 emissions, and fossil-fueled boilers predominate in high temperature applications. Industrial electrification could be an effective, especially when combined with renewable energy sources. However, any electric heating design requires accurate modeling of the heat transfer phenomena that occurs during phase change to ensure efficiency and safety. This paper presents a one-dimensional numerical model that simulates water boiling considering heat transfer and pressure drop in an electrically heated pipe using subcritical water. The model integrates subcooled liquid, two-phase, and superheated vapor regions, applying the Gnielinski correlation for single-phase heat transfer, a set of established flow boiling correlations for two-phase heat transfer, and the Friedel correlation for pressure drop. These results show the efficiency and precise control provided by electric heating, proving its ability to improve thermal performance while reducing emissions.